cross-examination; close questioning; demanding an explanation
to stare at; to gaze at; to look hard at; to watch intently; to fix one's eyes on
whether one likes it or not; inevitably; unavoidably; compulsorily; by force
to recall; to remember; to recollect
to come true (of a wish, prayer, etc.); to be realized; to suit (e.g. a purpose); to meet (wishes, ideals, etc.); to match (implies competition); to rival
as a child; when one was a child; childhood
at every opportunity; for each and every thing that crops up; with every little thing; whenever possible; whenever the chance arises; at every turn
to compete with; to vie for
study; diligence; discount; reduction
which (of three or more); well; now; c'mon
to take; to pick up; to pass; to hand; to get; to obtain; to adopt (a method, proposal, etc.)
(a) step; one step; level; stage; small degree; small amount
to reach; to touch; to be delivered; to arrive; to be attentive; to be scrupulous
feeling; sense; impression
menial; meanness; servility; abject
elementary school student; primary school student; grade school student
upper grades of primary school (sixth, fifth, and sometimes fourth grades)
men and women; man and woman; both sexes; both genders
difference; variation; difference
simply put; putting it simply; in short
womanly; ladylike; feminine
obedient; meek; docile; honest; frank; upfront (about one's feelings)
to touch; to come in contact with; to receive (e.g. visitor); to attend to; to receive (news); to get; to encounter
estrangement; alienation; neglecting to stay in contact
junior high school; middle school; lower secondary school
year; counter for years (e.g. of an era), grades (e.g. school); period of an apprentice's contract (usu. ten years)
thing; matter; incident; occurrence; circumstances; situation; work
to visit; to call on; to arrive (season, time, situation, etc.); to come; (arch.) to make a sound; (arch.) to send a letter
at that time; in those days; at that moment; then
girl; daughter; baby girl; young woman
seeming ...; appearing ...; -ish; like a ...; typical of ...
same generation; one's generation
to compare; to make a comparison; to compete; to vie
plump; fleshy; well-rounded; pleasant (fragrance); rich
to be raised (e.g. child); to be brought up; to grow (up)
hill; height; knoll; bonus points awarded to the winner at the end of a game
anyhow; at any rate; anyway; somehow or other; generally speaking; in any case
pretty; lovely; clean; clear; completely; entirely
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life